Taking holiday lights to the next level

Jason Trammel stands in front of his decorated home in Morris. Trammel decorates for Christmas every year and this year he and his wife Sandra are holding a Trammel Family Christmas Light Show on Saturday for the public to come and kick off the season.

MORRIS – Traffic driving down Meadors Circle was busy Tuesday night as many vehicles came to a stop in front of the Trammel home.

At night, drivers can see Christmas lights from the tip of the Trammels’ roof to the edge of their front lawn flashing in sequence to music on radio station 92.1.

Jason Trammel has always loved decorating for Christmas and every year tries to take it a step further. Last year he set the lights to music and played it out of speakers, but this year he set up the music through an FM transmitter so families could enjoy the show from the warmth of their cars.

Trammel started programming the lights to the songs months ago. There are three sets of songs, each with 15 to 20 songs, ranging from the Christmas classics to today’s hits.

“We’ve been listening to Christmas music since June,” said Sandra, Trammel’s wife.

More than 100,000 lights are shinning from the property – from an American flag on the roof to the shape of Christmas trees on the front lawn. As if doing this for all to enjoy was not enough, the Trammels are hosting a party for the community Saturday.

Community members are invited to meet the family during the “The Trammel Family Christmas Light Show” from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at their home, 116 Meadors Circle in Morris. Hot chocolate and baked goods will be served and Santa will be on site to visit with families, as well as Christmas Minions and elves.

Tuesday night 10-year-old Connor Duggins of Morris hung out of the backseat window of his family’s car to get a closer look at the lights as they sat in front of the Trammel home. His mother, Erin Duggins, said they used to be regular visitors to Lynda and Dale Chapman’s house at Newton Drive and George Street, which was another known house at Christmas, but the Chapmans stopped decorating a few years ago.

“It was devastating. It broke my heart,” Erin Duggins said. “Since he stopped there hasn’t been a very good effort with displays.”

But Tuesday the family found the Trammel house.

“This is beautiful,” she said. “It’s an amazing effort put into it just so other people can enjoy it.”

Jason Trammel is most excited about his addition of some military-themed music, he said. The flag on the roof lights up in sequence with these songs. It is the family’s way of showing their appreciation to those who serve our country, he said.

The decorating began Nov. 1 at the Trammel house, where the lights are plugged in by more than 100 extension cords. Many of his lights he bought from the Chapman family, he said.

Once he was done with his house, Jason Trammel said he also did his daughter’s fiance’s house.

Despite all the work and the high electric bill – last year’s was up to $400 for December – Jason Trammel said he will continue to take his decorating to the extreme.

“I think it’s fun. It’s a good thing to do for people to see,” he said. “I’ve already started planning ideas for next year.”

“Every time someone is outside Jason is always at the window,” Sandra said.

“I think it’s neat to have someone drive by. I go out and talk to them,” he said.

All are welcome to the event Saturday. For information search “The Trammel Family Christmas Light Show” on Facebook.